The line between Basel and Karlsruhe is one of the main bottlenecks for rail freight along the Rhine-Alpine Corridor. Now, some improvements are expected as the track expansion at the Basel-Weil am Rhein was commissioned by Deutsche Bahn (DB) on 29 April 2024. In total, a bundle of six new tracks was built parallel to…
Category: Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn does not rule out DB Cargo sale
Deutsche Bahn (DB) does not rule out the sale of its freight subsidiary DB Cargo. Looming EU sanctions over excessive state support are forcing DB to find an escape route. A partial sale of financially underperforming DB Cargo might be on the table. According to Handelsblatt, DB does not rule out a sale of its…
DAC: Digital Automatic Coupling or Digital Age Conundrum?
Currently, the common denominator concerning the implementation of the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) in Europe seems to be confusion. A third DAC consortium, renamed DACFIT, was just formed by Deutsche Bahn (DB), which also plays a key role in the other two. However, a clear timetable is not yet available despite the EU envisioning a…
German Passau corridor closes for renovation, diversions seem unviable
As Germany is planning for much-needed rail infrastructure renovations, points of contention arise. While renovations are necessary for the outdated network, significant infrastructure downtime could lead to serious consequences for the rail freight industry. Especially the Passau corridor closure is causing sweaty palms. Germany is planning to renew its rail infrastructure network. In an interview…
European rail a mixed bag: Polish PKP Cargo profits while others struggle
Rail freight operators in Europe are performing very differently. Big names such as DB Cargo and Lineas are in trouble, but in Poland, the annual figures were an invitation to uncork the champagne bottle. Despite the call for more sustainability in logistics and transport, freight transport by rail is not always an attractive modality for…
One billion euros for smaller rail infrastructure in Germany by 2025
The four billion euro German infrastructure program “Small and Medium Measures” for the rail network is making progress, with 138 of the planned 355 projects set to be implemented by the end of 2025, says Deutsche Bahn (DB). This constitutes 40 per cent of the planned measures, with an investment of around one billion euros.…
One billion euros for smaller rail infrastructure in Germany by 2025
The four billion euro German infrastructure program “Small and Medium Measures” for the rail network is making progress, with 138 of the planned 355 projects set to be implemented by the end of 2025, says Deutsche Bahn (DB). This constitutes 40 per cent of the planned measures, with an investment of around one billion euros.…
First indicative offers for DB Schenker are in
The sale of DB Schenker, the logistics arm of Deutsche Bahn (DB), seems to have entered a new phase. The deadline for submitting indicative, non-binding offers was Tuesday, 26 March, and at least seven interested parties bade. The amount of the offers has not been shared yet, but the value of the company is set…
DB Cargo to be divided into six units?
The German state-owned rail freight operator is facing an uncertain future due to significant losses and proceedings from the European Commission (EC). In an attempt to become profitable, DB Cargo might be divided into six divisions dedicated to different types of transport. The initiative was shared by German media RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), which cites a…
How has the German chemical industry dealt with rail strikes?
With Germany caught up in frequent rail strikes, the sector has been facing difficulties with the transportation of goods. The branch organisation of the German chemical industry (VCI) sounded the alarm bells ahead of last week’s 24-hour strike. VCI warned that the industry cannot cope with more strikes. RailFreight.com reached out to VCI and chemical […]